In vertebrates, left-right asymmetry in organ placement is established through the asymmetric activation of the Nodal signaling pathway in the left lateral plate mesoderm (LPM). The asymmetric signal originates from bilateral streaks of Nodal expression in the posterior paraxial mesoderm (PM). Nodal expression later expands laterally, then anteriorly in the left LPM, presumably through diffusion of Nodal protein from the left paraxial streak. However, the existence of gap between the PM and LPM nodal expression territories suggested that lateral nodal expansion could be explained by a cellular mechanism, instead of diffusion. We used time lapse microscopy of live mesoderm explants expressing nuclear enhanced GFP (Venus), and fluorescence imaging of chromosomes and microtubules during cell division to observe cell behavior before nodal signaling expansion. Our results show consistently that cell divisions follow an antero-posterior orientation in the PM, but a medio-lateral orientation in the LPM, a 90° difference in the axis of cell divisions. Together, our observations suggest an alternative mechanism for the lateral expansion of the Nodal signal without nodal diffusion, but requiring medio-lateral cell divisions and polar distribution of cytoplasmic determinants of nodal signaling.

keywords:  Developmental Biology, Signal Transduction, Body Asymmetry, Patterning, Transgenic

We have decided to present our topic of interest through a poster presentation. In our Evidence-Based Practice course within our nursing program, we explored women’s risks of developing cancer related to taking oral contraceptives. Our group was interested in selecting a topic related to women's health. We also aimed to keep our research topic broad enough to allow for the potential to relate to many women. We utilized a series of resources obtained from CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed. These databases provided us with pertinent evidence regarding contraceptive use and their incidence of being linked to different cancers within the body. We plan to present our findings by using related statistics and sharing the types of cancer these hormonal-containing medications have on putting women at higher risk for. Our main desire for choosing this subject matter was related to our own curiosity on this topic, as oral contraceptives are becoming increasingly more prevalent and used today, especially within our age group. We felt that overall, that there is a lack of information and advertising related to the different types of oral contraceptives and what an individual may be at risk for from taking them. We know that by expanding our knowledge on the subject matter, we can further have an impact and be an advocate for women in our futures in healthcare.

keywords:  Nursing, Women's Health, Contraceptives, Cancer, Promotion

Primary immunodeficiency (PI) disorders necessitate consistent medical oversight to prevent complications, yet adolescents and young adults with PI in rural areas often encounter significant barriers to care, such as geographic isolation and limited healthcare resources. These obstacles can result in poor treatment adherence and frequent missed appointments, undermining effective disease management. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising approach to enhance healthcare delivery through remote follow-up care. To investigate whether regular telemedicine follow-up, compared to traditional in-person clinic visits, improves treatment adherence and reduces missed appointments over one year in this population, a literature search was conducted. The findings suggest that telemedicine enhances access to care, improves treatment adherence, and increases appointment completion rates in pediatric and adolescent populations with chronic conditions. The reviewed literature highlighted telehealth’s potential to reduce disparities and provided evidence of improved adherence and appointment attendance in various chronic conditions. Although direct evidence specific to PI in rural settings is lacking, the positive outcomes in analogous populations indicate that telemedicine could offer significant benefits for rural adolescents and young adults with PI. These results emphasize the value of incorporating telemedicine into care strategies to improve health outcomes and address healthcare disparities in this group. Clinically, these findings support advocating for telemedicine implementation for rural PI patients, potentially enhancing treatment adherence, reducing missed appointments, and improving overall disease management, though further research targeting this specific population is needed to confirm these benefits.

keywords:  Public health, primary immunodeficiency (PI), inborn errors of immunity (IEI), telemedicine, rural healthcare, treatment adherence, pediatrics.

This project was a poster creation presenting research on the effects of circumcision on infection prevalence in males within their lifetime. I conducted a literature search for peer-reviewed articles to address this PICOT question: In males, how does being circumcised compared to being uncircumcised affect the risk of infections within their lifetime? I chose this topic because many people think circumcision is a cosmetic surgical procedure with no medical advantage. In my experience, uncircumcised men are more likely to obtain infections than the males who are circumcised in the nursing homes I have been in. When I was in my maternity clinical rotation, I wanted to research the effects of circumcision on males and see if what I hypothesized was true. It is imperative to spread awareness about how circumcisions can decrease the prevalence of infection and circumcision should be recommended by healthcare providers.

keywords:  evidence-based practice

This study aims to examine the values that can be found within Japanese and American folklore. Eight traditional folk tales from each culture were selected and analyzed for recurring themes using thematic content analysis. Themes of note included the role of gender, emotional expression, teamwork, loyalty, and the supernatural. By comparing the thematic content of folk tales across these traditions, we can better understand how distinct cultural values are transmitted via folk narrative.

keywords:  Japan, America, Folklore, Value, Culture

My current research was done to gather information on how the level of play in a college sport impacts the perception of body image in college athletes. The study assesses the association between club, junior varsity and varsity level sports and how the different levels of play in sports impact an individual's perception of their body image. I did this by creating a survey/questionnaire style study that looked at and measured the different parts of body image perception. Participants were selected through SONA, online posts on Instagram and posters hung around campus. The findings from this research will help to educate people about how the different level of intensity in college sports impacts the perceptions athletes have about their own body image and will further our understanding about how sports impact college athletes mental health. With this, we can improve our ways to help college athletes who are struggling with body image and mental health issues.

keywords:  body image, college athletes

According to Monotropism theory, people with autism experience single-focus-where all attentional resources are dedicated towards one interest at a time, as opposed to neurotypical people who are polytropic and can engage in many interests at once. This explains atypical attention and challenges with executive functioning in individuals with autism. The current study aims to utilize the theory of Monotropism to reduce challenges with executive functioning-particularly task-switching. Participants with autism (N= 19) were asked to complete a subset of questions from the Monotropism Questionnaire-to determine their level of monotropism-and describe their special interest in their own words. They then completed the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Task to measure cognitive flexibility. The M-WCST involves sorting 48 response cards under 4 key cards according to three possible rule categories (color, shape or number). A month later, participants took an individualized version of the M-WCST. The original cards were replicated but used each participants special interest rather than shapes. H1: Involving an interest of a person with autism in the M-WCST would lead to fewer errors compared to their performance on the original task. Neurotypical participants (N=19) were used as a control group and completed only the first half of the study. H2: Participants with autism will score higher on the M-WCST than participants with autism. H3: Participants with autism would score higher on the monotropism questionnaire than neurotypical participants. H1 & H2 were not supported, H3 was supported.

keywords:  Autism, executive functioning, task switching, perseveration

I am studying depictions of revolution in response to unjust living conditions in Suzanne Collin’s YA dystopian trilogy, The Hunger Games (2008-2010). Televised war was the catalyst for this genre’s popularity in the 2000s and 2010s, but the saturation of broadcasted violence has become even more ubiquitous in the 2020s. As David Lyon wrote in 1994, “to participate in modern society is to be under electronic surveillance,” and it rings even truer today. From our locations to internet browsing, our data is constantly collected and sold for targeted advertising. Not only are we surveilled, but the public has harnessed the power to reverse the watchful eye and record state ordained violence. With such graphic awareness of brutality abroad and at home, I cannot help but wonder how this revolutionary political content could inform US Americans about resisting the surveillance state. My project will compare the Hunger Games’ portrayal of the “Capitol district” to the contemporary US’s oligarchs and contrast both with the fictional and real public’s lifestyles. I will dissect the citizens of Panem’s tactics for rebellion and explore how they could function as potentially actionable under our contemporary socioeconomic and political conditions.

keywords:  Rebellion, surveillance, critical cultural analysis, YA dystopian literature, resistance

Did the pandemic permanently alter the way people socialize with one another? BookTok says no. Due to the shutdown of nearly all social events - concerts, roller rinks, schools - many believe that our social skills have been stunted, especially those of the younger generations, Generation Z and Generation Alpha. However, it can be argued that those in these generations are connected more now than people ever have been. Thanks to online spaces like TikTok and Instagram, communities have been able to form at an intensified rate. The “BookTok” community is one of the most popular internet communities to stem from the pandemic. This online community gathered self-proclaimed “book nerds” in one place and allowed them to connect with others who share the same obsession with books, reading, and every aspect of the culture surrounding them. Gaining popularity along with TikTok itself, BookTok remains one of the most interacted with subtopics on the platform. This presentation dives into the reconnection of people and the socialization of strangers through BookTok and book culture. Utilizing research done on media effects and psychology, I hope to bring light to how impactful book culture can be on society and how, even through the most difficult of times, it can bring both like-minded people and polar opposites together.

keywords:  BookTok, socialization, book culture, TikTok, pandemic

This project takes a closer look at the 2024 Biennale International Art Exhibition in Venice titled "Stranieri Ovunque -- Foreigners Everywhere" and the backlash that the theme incited. With a focus on "outsider" artists, often immigrants, the exhibition was a subject of debate in many Italian news sources. Curator Adriano Pedrosa defends his theme by highlighting the ubiquity of foreigners in all countries and the fact that, deep down, all people are foreigners. My focus is on the importance of art as a method of expression for immigrants and the themes of isolation and xenophobia frequently represented.

keywords:  Italy, Art, Immigration, Racism

I will be creating a poster that provides research on North Korean migration to China. It will cover the challenges of leaving North Korea, what areas of China North Koreans settle in, through what channels North Koreans arrive in China, and what barriers they experience once in China. I will gather information through finding information from peer-reviewed research articles. I chose this topic because I have studied Chinese during my time at Nazareth and this issue is compelling to me.

keywords:  China, North Korea, Migration, Refugee

The vertebral columns of snakes are divided into several regions, each of which can be identified by their characteristics. While other vertebrates have distinct transitions between vertebral regions, snakes have subtle changes over broad transition zones. This can make it difficult to identify from where in the vertebral column an individual vertebra originated. In fields such as paleontology, where specimens are often disarticulated, not being able to pinpoint the position of a vertebra within the column can hinder reconstruction of a specimen and limit further understanding of the organism. We used geometric morphometric analyses to reveal patterns in shape change throughout the vertebral column, and determine a vertebra’s location within the column from those patterns. We used R Studio to analyze landmark data that encapsulates these patterns. The results demonstrate that in addition to the presence or absence of certain characteristics, subtle patterns of shape change can be utilized to place an individual, disarticulated vertebra within the vertebral column with relative accuracy. We expect our algorithm can be used by paleontologists to determine the position of an unknown vertebra within the column, or to determine the order of vertebrae in a disarticulated specimen. With more data the program will become more accurate, so we expect additional contributions will enhance the efficacy of the algorithm.

keywords:  vertebrae, morphology, snakes

In this poster Gunnar Wetzel will discuss his intensive global virtual team project on LaserVet. LaserVet specializes in veterinary medicine technology to help improve the lives of animals, specifically in pre and post-surgery recovery. Our X-Culture team was tasked to identify a new market with promising opportunities, our market being Spain. The poster will provide a brief overview of the teaming process through the X-Culture experience and the company selected, identify disciplinary connections to the School of Business and Leadership curriculum, demonstrate to use of trade and scholarly data in the decision making and recommendations, and offer a logical argument for the varying recommendations for the company.

keywords:  X-Culture, Business, LaserVet

In this poster Liam, Anthony, and Marcus will discuss our intensive global team project on Pacoa Eco. Pacoa Eco is a brand that invests in circular fashion, developing footwear with banana fibers and recycled cotton, aiming to create income for small producers and handicraft groups while spreading Brazilian identity and sustainability through their products. We all worked on a team report with five different people from around the world. We created a business plan for a potential new market.

keywords:  Business, Leadership, Ethics

In this poster, the team of Rylee Quinzi and Sean O’Brian will discuss their intensive global virtual team project on X-Culture. X-Culture is a global collaboration project that connects students and professionals from around the world to work on real business challenges presented by corporate partners. The team report focuses on identifying new market opportunities to support the expansion and strategic growth of a partnering company. The poster will provide a brief overview of the teaming process through the X-Culture experience and the company selected, identify disciplinary connections to the School of Business and Leadership curriculum, demonstrate the use of trade and scholarly data in the decision making and recommendations, and offer a logical argument for the varying recommendations for the company.

keywords:  Business Leadership, market opportunities, virtual team project

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are naturally occurring sugars found in human breast milk that support digestive health, immune response, and cognitive development in breast-fed infants. Unfortunately, the limited availability and structural complexity of HMOs makes it difficult to further investigate this important class of molecules. The goal of this project is to use the engineered glycosynthase enzyme BbhI to make HMOs and HMO derivatives which are currently inaccessible using known biosynthetic methods. To date, we have successfully expressed wild-type and mutant BbhI in E. coli and are optimizing the synthesis of the N-acetyl-D-glucosamine 1,2-oxazoline sugar substrate. The activity of this previously reported sugar-enzyme system will be validated before exploring the compatibility of related carbohydrate substrates.

keywords:  Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Research

In collaboration with the Lorette Wilmot Library, the Frank DiMino Casa Italiana has transformed its Reading Room into a fully functional Special Collections Library. This project was designed to both preserve and provide access to rare, unique, and culturally significant materials. It has served as an asset to the community, with members inquiring about a borrowing system and proclaiming an interest in our books. It is important for Rochester to have an Italian based library as there is a large Italian-American population in this area. Over the last two years, I have cataloged over 2,000 books, assigning each of them a unique barcode and call number based on subject matter. These categories include: Arts, Culinary, Geography, History, Language, Literature, Science, Rare, Reference, and Serials. This work has culminated in our digital catalog where patrons can browse the titles in our collection. Users can search for a specific title or author, or browse based on various tags and books can be checked out by Nazareth students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. This project has provided me with experience that will be invaluable to me as an English and Italian double major. I will be presenting this project in poster format, featuring photographs that highlight the progress of our library, as well as details regarding how patrons can access and engage with our collection.

keywords:  Italian language, Library, World languages and cultures

What does it mean to be Italian American in Rochester? To answer this question, the Frank DiMino Casa Italiana, a museum, archive, and library located on the campus of Nazareth University, has created the Casa Italiana Oral History Project in partnership with the Nazareth University Center for Public History. This collaboration between a museum and a center for public history has brought together Italian American community members living in the Rochester region and allowed for the creation of a digital archive centered around preserving the lived experiences of multiple generations of immigrant families. During the summer of 2024, through the SOARS grant, Italian and public history students conducted, transcribed, and analyzed oral accounts of the Italian American experience in Rochester. Through this experience, students identified patterns regarding language retention, immigration, and current connections to Italian culture while also connecting to the Italian American community of Rochester in a positive manner. This pattern recognition will allow the director of Casa Italiana, Dr. Joëlle Carota, to further her research in generational language retention patterns within Italian immigrant families. Presenting a model for student outreach and engagement with larger communities within academic programs.

This research was funded by a Summer Opportunities for Activities in Research and Scholarship (SOARS) grant.

keywords:  Public History, Italian American Community, Student Engagement, Language study

Intermolecular forces (IMFs) are the interactions between molecules that do not involve the sharing of electrons, rather these forces allow molecules to associate with each other and create stronger structures without forming bonds. Understanding how molecules interact using IMFs and being able to predict how molecules associate on a smaller scale will help predict how these forces may come into effect on a larger scale. When synthesizing new drugs or trying to understand protein folding, IMFs are the critical factor in these processes, so being able to predict how molecules will interact within these compounds is critical. This project involved studying the IMFs that take place between the interaction of isoxazole and water. Isoxazole contains two electronegative atoms next to each other in a nitrogen and an oxygen, so we expect the hydrogens in water to associate with these atoms with the strongest force. Using computational chemistry with Gaussian and the San Diego Supercomputer, we tested plausible complexes in which water could associate with isoxazole. Computationally we found the lowest energy complex to be when water associates with the nitrogen in isoxazole. Experimentally we will use supercooled FTIR to determine if the lowest energy complexes we predicted computationally were present experimentally.

keywords:  Matrix Isolation FTIR, Computational Chemistry, Intermolecular forces

Oxazole (C3H3NO) is a 5-membered heterocyclic ring that is the basis of many drugs and biologically important molecules. Given its importance in aqueous environments, a fundamental understanding of the noncovalent interaction preference of this heterocycle is needed. The presented work will focus on a computational spectral exploration of the noncovalent interactions between oxazole and water. Modern computational methods were used to calculate the lowest energy structures, wave functions, and vibrational frequencies of the oxazole : water complex at multiple levels of theory and basis sets. Seven total geometries were found in this analysis. Four of these structures were identified as being of primary importance. Three structures found were more determined to be artifacts of the specific levels of theory and basis sets used to find these structures and of low importance to the global analysis of interactions. Of the four primary structures, one structure was observed to form through O-H…N and H-O…H interactions, the second structure interacted through C-H…O interaction, and the final two complexes were characterized by O-H…O and C-H…O interactions. The structure with the O-H…N interaction was overwhelmingly found to be the lowest energy across all basis sets and levels of theory. These computational results served as the foundation for matrix isolation FTIR studies to demonstrate the experimental structure of the oxazole water complex in a cryogenic matrix. A discussion of these results and conclusions will be given in this poster.

This presentation will discuss using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, specifically Casgevy and Lyfgenia therapies, to effectively cure sickle cell anemia and transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia, which are genetic hematological disorders. By presenting peer-reviewed articles, the poster will focus on the mechanism of these diseases, how CRISPR-Cas9 works, and the ethical concerns surrounding its use. CRISPR-Cas9 edits the DNA by precisely cutting the defective gene, and both Casgevy and Lyfgenia were approved for therapies. Casgevy deactivates the BCL11A gene to produce more fetal hemoglobin (HbF) to take over the function of defective hemoglobin. At the same time, Lyfgenia is used to produce HbAT87Q, which functions in a similar way to normal adult hemoglobin (HbA) to reduce the risk of red blood cell sickling. Researching CRISPR-Cas9 allows for a better understanding of its potential in curing genetic diseases; however, it brings ethical concerns regarding “designer baby” and the limited access to CRISPR-Cas9 treatments due to high cost, raising concerns about healthcare inequality. Ongoing discussions aim to establish regulations that ensure safety, affordability, and ethical use while maximizing CRISPR-Cas9 treatment in curing genetic disorders.

keywords:  CRISPR-Cas9, genetic disorders, sickle cell anemia, transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia, gene editing

Does media coverage of athletes' mental health impact the public's perception of said athletes? While it has become more normalized to talk about psychological struggles, the topic of mental health and mental disorders are still stigmatized by society. Past literature suggests that there is more of a stigma surrounding males and mental health than there is with females. It was hypothesized that the article featuring male athletes would be perceived as less respectable than female athletes doing the same. The independent variable was the gender of an athlete in an article discussing their mental health. One article featured a female athlete, and the other featured a male athlete. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the articles and were asked to rate how respectable they found the athlete to be. No difference in respectability was found. However, the male athlete was rated as less representative of the U.S. than the female athlete. Male participants also rated the athletes lower than female participants. The difference in ratings may indicate a greater stigma against discussion of mental health for males. Future research can be done to further understand the stigma surrounding the mental health of athletes. Doing so can determine how to dismantle stigma and normalize seeking help.

keywords:  Mental health, athletes, gender, perception, respectability

There is limited research on occupational therapists’ role in supporting caregivers and children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) with specific sensory strategies. Literature shows that children with FASD experience sensory processing difficulties, decreased executive functioning, challenging behaviors, and impulsivity. Caregivers struggle to support their child’s ability to modulate sensory input from the environment. There is little research on the implementation of sensory strategies for children with FASD, and more specifically occupational therapy’s role during intervention and the education of caregivers. A mixed methods research study was conducted to answer the question: What sensory strategies are used by caregivers of children with FASD at home and in the community, and where did they learn them? Caregivers were asked to complete a survey, and then opted to participate in a focus group. Results from data analysis indicate there is a role for occupational therapists to be more involved in educating and supporting caregivers of children with FASD.

keywords:  FASD Sensory Strategies Occupational Therapy Supporting Caregivers

Triazoles are five-membered rings composed of three nitrogen atoms and two carbon atoms that have significant uses in organic chemistry, drug development, and pharmaceutical treatments in medicine. Triazoles are very versatile and are able to serve as antimicrobial, antiviral, antitubercular, anticancer, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory agents. However, reactions involving triazoles often have very low yields presumably due to excess heat supply, decomposition of the product, or solvent related issues as well as sensitive reaction conditions in general. This research aims to expand the current knowledge in the area of triazoles and increase the return of product on a para-methoxybenzyl protected thiol 1,2,4-triazole, which has a poor yield and long reaction time. New and more efficient reaction conditions for the synthesis of this 1,2,4-triazole and potentially other triazole derivatives will be presented.

keywords:  organic synthesis, triazole, heterocyclic chemistry

Heterocyclic compounds are essential molecules in organic chemistry that are distinguished by their distinct ring structures that contain at least one atom other than carbon. They are well recognized for their uses in medicine and synthetic chemistry.

1 Many drugs include heterocyclic compounds due to their wide variety of biological activity. One notable example is mebendazole, which is a cost-effective anti-parasitic drug that has shown significant medicinal potential. Despite this, its application is stagnated by its poor solubility and bioavailability. It is hypothesized that modifications to the molecule by creating new derivatives could improve the drug-target binding of the molecules and help to improve the pharmacokinetic properties.

2 To address this, mebendazole and new derivatives will be synthesized and characterized using NMR spectroscopy to confirm structural modifications.

keywords:  Organic chemistry, Synthetic chemistry, Medicine, Drug modification

The focus of population health at the university health center where I completed my internship can be described as primary prevention or primary urgent care. This position allowed me to assess, educate, and provide nursing care to individuals while actively contributing to the prevention and management of health issues within the college community. As a double major in public health and nursing, I was able to apply knowledge from my classroom studies to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, implement health promotion programs, and support community outreach efforts to ensure a healthy campus environment. I worked closely with a registered nurse to develop care plans for patients, documenting symptoms and addressing any concerns related to medications or current symptoms.

The emphasis on early intervention and prevention in outpatient care aligned well with the principles of public health, which aims to improve health outcomes through an upstream approach. The internship provided valuable experience in providing wellness and medical services within a community-based environment.

keywords:  population health, university health center, public health nursing

Public health education is essential for disease prevention, particularly in school settings where students are at higher risk of contracting and spreading illnesses, especially during the winter months. To better understand the school environment, a shadowing of the school nurse was conducted, providing insight into the daily dynamics and health challenges faced by students. A health education campaign was then developed using a combination of content creation, posters, and a targeted presentation. The posters, designed using Canva, covered key health topics such as diet, hydration, and sleep and were displayed throughout the school for both students and staff to see. The presentation, tailored for seventh-grade health students, emphasized plain language and knowledge retention to effectively engage the audience. This poster documents the process of designing and implementing a middle school health campaign aimed at improving youth health education.

keywords:  Health Promotion, Public Health, Health Education

Wilson Commencement Park, located in Rochester, New York, provides a two-year transitional housing program for single women and single mothers who have experienced domestic violence and / or homelessness. While mothers are working to become self-sufficient, direct services are also provided to their children so that they can improve their academic performance, improve their self-confidence, and provide them with alternate activities that will lower their participation in risky behaviors that can lead to harm.

With a double major in public health and community youth development, the ability to work directly with children in this community afforded me the opportunity to learn more about the challenges and barriers faced by children who live in poverty and come from unstable homes. During my internship, my time was focused on addressing the academic needs of elementary school age children, ensuring that age appropriate activities were planned for their free time activities, as well as preparing a nutrition workshop for both the children and older youth.

As a result of the time spent in this internship, I have a much better understanding of how quality after-school programming can have a positive impact on a young child’s development. It allowed me to see how partnerships between community organizations such as Wilson Commencement Park and Nazareth University can address social inequities through organized programs that allow children to develop skills that will allow them to prosper and thrive.

keywords:  Public Health, social justice, internship

This poster will explore my experiential internship, which integrated key elements from both my Business Leadership and Public Health majors. In the summer of 2024, I took the position as the Dining Hall Manager at Camp Stella Maris, leading a diverse team of international workers from Mexico and Colombia, along with staff from the United States. I collaborated with head cooks to ensure efficiency of each shift and delivery of proper nutrition to campers, while complying with health regulations. These regulations included those mandated by the Department of Health, to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved at the camp. The poster will highlight the leadership strategies I utilized during my internship, such as transformational leadership, coaching, and servant leadership. It will demonstrate how these approaches contributed to a successful team dynamic and an effective work format. Additionally, it will detail the Public Health principles applied in my position, such as health education, preventive measures, health and safety policy, and promoting healthy lifestyles. This presentation will illustrate how my internship experience directly connected to my academic studies at Nazareth University and provided valuable insights into my professional path in Public Health and Business Leadership.

keywords:  Public Health, Nutrition, Leadership, Management, Children

This study examined how light color, light intensity, water amount, and fertilizer levels affect the growth of Hometown Seeds contender bush beans. The beans were planted in trays filled with a soil mix of soil conditioner, peat moss, sand, and perlite. Light treatments used EcoSmart 40-watt colored bulbs, while watering and fertilization regimes varied. Seedlings were observed weekly for growth, measuring sprout length and overall development. Light color had minimal impact on growth, but seedlings under colored light had weaker stalks. Light intensity was a significant factor; no light resulted in the highest overall growth, although plants struggled to transition to photosynthesis, turning white and yellow. Bright light was crucial for growth, but medium and low light were better for long-term development. Watering treatments varied from under-watering (2.25 mL), regular watering (4.5 mL), to over-watering (9 mL). Regular watering resulted in the best growth. Fertilization treatments ranged from under-fertilization (0.7875g), normal (1.5749g), to over-fertilization (3.1498g). Early fertilization promoted better growth, but reducing fertilization as plants matured was more effective. Overall, light intensity, proper watering, and a tailored fertilization schedule are essential for optimal seedling growth.

keywords:  Student-led Agriculture

Nazareth University has a long and unique history, almost 100 years ago an on-campus herbarium was started by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Nazareth students. Taking the time to preserve the work of former students and professors is important not only for the field of science but also the history of the university. The goal for this project is restoring and reorganizing the herbarium. To complete this project repairs to some of the dried plants had to be made. Along with creating a new label for the current and future additions to the herbarium. The herbarium now has a new number system and database for people to use when researching in the herbarium or working there. To complete these tasks extensive research went into how herbariums are run, the order of everything, and the functionality of different herbariums. This project has allowed a crossover in science and archival work that is not usually seen in undergrad. The combination of biology and MAPs is a unique skill set not only to make a well-rounded student but also in future archival work.

keywords:  Biology, archives, preservation, herbariums, plants

The primary focus of this work was to establish a herbarium, a collection of preserved plant specimens, for the Nazareth University biology department. There were two aims to this research project. First, I sought to organize the existing collection of plant specimens that were left to the college by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. To do this, specimens were organized by genus and organized by specimens that needed to be repaired or were unsalvageable. The second aim of this work, and the focus of this presentation, was to collect specimens from our local environment and establish a protocol for collecting and drying plant material for the new herbarium that was being established. For this part of the project, I identified local species and preserved them using a plant press in the natural areas of the greater Rochester area. The specimens were later dried using a custom plant dryer that I helped build. Currently, I am writing a protocol that will be used by my fellow classmates as they contribute specimens to the herbarium during their tenure at Nazareth University. The hope is that this collection of plants will be used to track changes in plant biodiversity for the foreseeable future.

keywords:  Herbarium, Biodiversity, Botany

The objective of this research is to establish a student-run sustainable campus farm at Nazareth University, aimed at promoting environmental plant knowledge, hands-on learning, a scenic place for students to gather on campus, and eventually local food production. This initiative involves designing and implementing a farm that utilizes sustainable agricultural practices such as organic farming, crop rotation, and composting. Implementation will be executed by forming a team of students with a faculty advisor who will collaboratively develop a comprehensive plan for the farm.

The significance of this project lies in its potential to serve as a living laboratory for students, providing practical experience in sustainable agriculture while contributing to the campus community. This work also has the potential to create new courses offered at Nazareth University that promote ecological focused experiential learning. The farm aims to produce a variety of native plants. This project not only addresses the growing need for sustainable food systems but also fosters a culture of environmental awareness and responsibility among students, especially the ones who are not science majors. By showcasing the benefits of sustainable farming, the goal is to motivate other institutions to adopt similar initiatives and promote a more sustainable future.

keywords:  Sustainability, Student-run farm, Organic farming, College farm

This research tested the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on sterilized soil. Over a three-week period, plant growth, and the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH in the soil were measured. The research, which focused on nutrient dynamics and plant growth, assessed how mycorrhizal fungi influence soil fertility and crop development. As the global population continues to exponentially increase, the survival of humanity will largely depend on the ability to ensure food security through greater crop yields. Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with over 90% of terrestrial plant species and are known to mobilize essential soil nutrients. This points to the potential of mycorrhizal soil transplants to increase both soil fertility and nutrient availability, thereby revitalizing degraded soil. By improving the soil through enriching the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, mycorrhizal fungi could potentially mitigate the effects of increasing global food insecurity. Implications of this research could lead to further exploration of mycorrhizae’s role in sustainable agriculture under various climatic conditions.

keywords:  Mycorrhizae, Soil Fertility, Sustainable Agriculture

Porphyrins are versatile organic compounds with significant roles in both natural and synthetic systems, particularly in processes requiring light absorption, charge transfer, and metal coordination. Their conjugated aromatic structure and metal-binding capabilities make them important to many biological functions, such as electron transfer and oxygen transport, as well as key components in applications like catalysis and renewable energy technologies. In this study, we focused on tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), a synthetic porphyrin often used as a model system for researching porphyrin behavior. TPP was synthesized, and its light-absorbing and emission properties were characterized using UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. By comparing the free-base and metalated forms of TPP, we investigated how metal coordination influences electronic transitions and photophysical behavior.

keywords:  Porphyrins, UV-Visible & fluorescence spectroscopy, Cytochrome C, tetraphenylporphyrin

The navigation of race, gender and class is what the renowned Harlem Renaissance author, Dorothy West has become adjacent to. West is a Black, queer and upper-middle class woman; her exploration of these three identities have held prominent space in her career. The work of West has introduced new ideas of both Blackness and womanness which was uncharted territory for Black women in the early 20th century. This project aims its focus on the social and literary notion of what it means to be both Black and a woman in the eyes of Dorothy West. Through personal research of her works such as The Living is Easy, The Wedding and The Richer, The Poorer, this project will guide readers through the circumstances of the new Black social class. With 21st century perspective, the poster presentation will analyze and reflect on the forgotten history of Dorothy West as being the youngest Harlem Renaissance member and the last voice of the historical movement.

keywords:  Women's History, Black American Literature, American History, Social Movements

A Stroke is an event that causes disruption and role changes within the lives of both a stroke survivor and the person who cares for them, which is often a spouse or family member. There is some evidence pertaining to what interventions are effective for reducing burdens and increasing independence and well-being for stroke dyads; this research will add to that data. This research aimed to examine how a dyad-focused intervention program, provided by occupational therapy practitioners, could improve the quality of life and occupational engagement of stroke survivors and their primary caregivers.

keywords:  Occupational therapy, stroke survivor, caregivers